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Sagada: That Thing Called Adventure (And Sofia)
A few weeks ago, I invited my friends on a weekend trip to Sagada. Nothing fancy. It was just a quick escape and a break from life’s never-ending cycle of deadlines, responsibilities, and grind. Most of them had excuses. Some were too busy, and a few left me on “seen.” But one of them replied with a yes. The only problem? She had been dead for over two years. The person I’m talking about is Sofia. At first, I thought it was a mistake. Maybe there was a glitch in the Matrix. Or perhaps it was one of those weird moments that made you question reality for a second. But…
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Mimbalot Falls: The Art Of Finding Joy In The Simple Things
How does a waterfall this gorgeous stay a secret? And how can something so easy to find feel so undiscovered? Mimbalot Falls is one of those places that seem like a world away. Even though it’s pretty accessible, it somehow feels untouched and like a local secret. Before we arrived at the parking lot of Mimbalot Falls, I expected a busy, chaotic scene. After all, it’s arguably the most accessible waterfall in the “City of Waterfalls”. I even thought it had that typical public beach-like vibe, with rows of vendors and karaoke machines playing Michael Jordan highlights. But I was wrong. The moment I arrived at Mimbalot Falls, I instantly…
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Mount Napulak: Lessons In Resilience From A “Minor” Hike
Have you ever had a fever that oddly felt like a sweet victory? That’s exactly how I felt, slumped in an airport, shivering as a fever slowly took over me. After weeks of stress, sleepless nights, and a grueling climb up Mount Napulak, my body finally gave in. That was the price I paid for pushing through. That was the cost of not slowing down, of pushing myself past the limit. But guess what? It was worth every shiver, every ache, and every twinge. And here’s the thing. Mount Napulak isn’t one of those enormous, towering 2,000-meter peaks in the Philippines. At just 1,239 meters above sea level, it doesn’t…
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Mount Kalatungan: An Unforgettable Journey To The Chief Mountain
I was only 7 years old when I found out that I could fly. But it was also the time when I realized there were monsters and ghosts renting space inside my head. For years, I’ve battled and listened to these voices that whisper my deepest secrets, dreams, and fears. And I would often silence their echoes and bravely just continue on my journey. Somehow, I could hear these voices getting louder as I waited patiently alone in a forest in Mount Kalatungan. I just conquered Mount Kalatungan and completed my mission to hike the five highest mountains in the Philippines. I should have been in a positive mood. And…
